Spread a Smile is delighted to announce a new partnership with The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. NHNN is the UK’s largest dedicated neurological and neurosurgical hospital, providing comprehensive services for the diagnosis, treatment and care of all conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system and muscles.
NHNN is an adult hospital, but Spread a Smile will be supporting young people receiving specialist treatment at the hospital, with our talented entertainers, including musicians, artists, magicians and therapy dogs, spending quality time with patients through regular monthly in-person visits. In addition, patients and their families will be able to access a range of Spread a Smile support services including virtual sessions, outings and events.
Frenchesca James-Young, Advanced Youth & Young Adult Support Co-ordinator for The NHNN/UCLH said: “One of our patients, B, has been at the NHNN for 6 months, following a swift transfer from another hospital. This time has been a rollercoaster for both him and his Dad, with B rapidly deteriorating and being moved to the ITU at the NHNN. There were many points where we thought he would not have seen Christmas.
“During this time, I contacted Spread a Smile, having worked with them previously, to see if they would consider visiting young people in an adult setting at The NHNN to help spread smiles. Of course, Spread a Smile responded immediately, making it happen.
“For a patient like B, aged 22 but developmentally aged around 6/7, this was instrumental in helping to boost his mood from the day to day medical things that were happening to him. Spread a Smile brought magic and songs, cheer and joy into an adult hospital – something we hadn’t seen before.
“Fast forward to Christmas 2024 and Spread a Smile organised a special visit on Christmas Day for B on ITU! They brought an amazing gift hamper full of things he loved – Toy Story’s Buzz lightyear, football and stickers to name a few.
“B is not the only young person who has benefitted from the joy Spread a Smile brings. Our project sees patients up to the age of 24 – some want to sing, some might miss their dog at home and love meeting the Spread a Smile therapy dogs, some enjoy the tricks by the magicians.
“I can’t thank Spread a Smile enough for all they do and the joy I get from seeing the faces of patients, their families and the staff around them is truly amazing.”
Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile Chief Executive added, “Spread a Smile is proud to be supporting young patients at The NHNN, helping to provide distraction and much needed moments of engagement and fun. We are looking forward to our visits, meeting even more patients, families and staff and spreading as many smiles as possible.”
Click here to find out more about our work with 36 NHS hospital and 6 hospice partners across the country.
